Metal broom or brush



Oct. 18, 1932. c. H. FELTHAM METAL BROOM OR BRUSH Filed June 3, 1930 Patented Giet. 18, 1932 PATENT *OFFICE i I CHARLES HECTOR virnr'irmirr, oF'rnovrnnNcE, RHODE ISLANDY METAL Bnoorvr on kiai-msn Application led June 3, 1930. SerialNo.' 459,039.

This invention relates to metal-bristled brooms and brushes for use as cleaningor` sweeping implementsand also as extinguishf ers for lighting grass and 4forest fires.4

One object of the invention is to provide a broom or brush of the type specified which is f more etlicient and durable in useand vpractically indestructible when subjected to heat.`

Another object of the 'invention is to provide an implement of the type specified adapted for economical manufacture with its elements assembled without the useof solder, screws, rivets or other extraneous parts liable to become loosened or deranged. f

Another object of the invention is to provide an implement of the type specified having a head composed of interfitting Lsheetmetal members adapt-ed to be locked in connected relationship to clamp themetal brisles in place. Y a j 1 Another object of the invention is to provide an implement of thel type specified Vin which the metal bristles are mounted in staggered relationship with their'ilat sides inclined with respect to eachother to provide an overlapping arrangement thereof, whereby to eiect greater compactnessat their ends and a more impenetrable sweeping wall or edge.

Another object of the invention is to provide an implement of the type speciiied 'in which the bristles may be heattreated or hardened before applying them to the broom or brush to provide for greater strength and durability in use.

Further objects of the improvement are set orth in the following specification which describes a preferred 'form of constructionfof the implement, by way of example, as illusc trated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing I Fig'. 1 is a perspective vieWo abroomV constructed in accordance with the present invention; 1

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through the head of the broom illustrating its inter'fitting parts; f

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the broom, shown partly in seotio'n'to illustratethe manner of' telescoping the interfitting parts in cooperative relationship and lockinglthem in pace; f

Fig. e is a top'plan view of the head of the broom showing the arrangement of the bristies therein; and A f f Fig. 5 is a perspective viewcf one of the looped bristlesA employed in the device.

This 'invention relates lparticularly to brooms, brushes or the likev in which metal bristles or splints are provided as sweeping elements and consists kin an improved construction and arrangement of the parts to efi'ect a more eiicient and durable implement for the purposey speciiied. In the embodiment of the invention as herein shown the implement comprises a hollow head constructedwith a channel-shaped member having its `base perforated to receive the legs ofV hairpin-shaped splints which serve as bristles. The channel-shaped member has means at its sides for supportingan auxiliary topplate and for interconnection with an overly-y ing cover. The-legs VofV the splints are inserted through eyelets or apertures in the top-plate and base-of thechannel-mernber .small holes 15,' see Fig.4, through which the legs ofthe metal bristles'l exten-d downwardly inf the `manner as later explained. Only two rows of bristles 15 are shown in the drawing,but it is to. be understood that a greater number may be provided if desired in accordance with the uses to which theimplement' is to be put.

vThe upwardly extending sides 4 of the channel-member 2 are provided with a series of'ears or lugs 6 bent inwardly at right-angles 'like f ed to be bent over the ends of the cover to securethe members in connected relationship in the manner as later explained.

The cover 20 1s also constructed from sheet- Y metal stock to form an inverted troughshaped member having downwardly extending side-flanges 22. The sides 22 are folded inwardly and then projected upwardly to provide splines or runners 23 adapted to slide in the guideways 8 at the sides of the bottommember 2 to interconnect these parts, the method of assembling the complete device being as next explained.

The sides 4 of the channel-member 2 are initially spread apart and the top-plate 10 placed in overlying relation to its bottomplate 8. The legs of the wire splints 15 are then passed downwardly through the alining apertures 5 and l1 in the two plates. After this is accomplished the top-plate 10 is lifted within the channel-member 2 and the sides 4 thereof .sprung inwardly to engage the lugs 6 in under its lateral edges as shown in Fig. 2.

It will be noted by reference to F ig. 4 of the drawing lthat t-he apertures 5 and l1 are so disposed that the bristles of the two opposite rows will be arranged in opposite angular-relationship, that is inclined one with respect to the other and staggered along the length of the head. The cover 2O is next applied to the head by inserting its runners 23 in the guideways 8 at the top lof the channelmember 2 and sliding it therealong until the ends of the two members coincide. During the sliding movement of the cover 20 its under side rides over the looped ends of the bristles 15 'and'Y actsv to vforce them downwardly to clamp them in place in the head.. With the cover 2O thus positioned on the channel-member 2 the projections or tabs 12 on the topplate 10 are bent upwardly over the ends of the cover to lock it in place. If desired, the tabs 12 may be spot-welded to the top of the cover 20 to effect a permanent j oinder ofthe parts.

Any suitable means maybe provided for attaching a handle to the head of the broom and, as herein shown, a socket 25 is employed with `the end of a metal tubular rod 30 inserted thereintoY and welded in place. The socket 25 may be madey in two parts, each section 26 having a half-tubular Vupstanding portion stamped from sheet-'metal with a lower lug 27 adapted to fit against the top of the cover 20 and a lateral ear 28 overlapping the side thereof. The lugs 27 and 28 are spot-welded to the cover 20 as at 29 and 31.

It will be observed from the foregoing that my invention provides a particularly staunch and sturdy implement for the purposes specified. The various parts of the broom or brush are constructed Vof heat-resisting and noncorrosive metal and assembled without the use of solder, screws, rivets or other parts liable to become loosened or deranged. The interlitting elements of the head provide for greater rigidity and strength and the staggered and angular arrangement of the bristles gives a more compact and closelyl spaced 'disposition of their ends to provide a more eilicient sweeping edge. The angular arrangement of the bristles also results in greater stiffness or rigidity of their legs and prevents bending or distortion thereof. Due to its method of construction, the broom is practically indestructible and proof against damage when used for extinguishing hres. The

bristles may be made of spring-steel, and separately hardened whereby to insure greater stiness and durability in use. Because of its non-absorbent qualities the broom is rendered more sanitary, being easily cleaned in boiling water without injuring the bristles.

My improved broom'or brush, being fireproof is particularly well adapted for use in colte-plants, boiler-rooms, foundries and other similar locations. The improved broom may also be used successfully for extinguishing grass and brush lires, the resilient bristles acting to kick up the dirt and spread it to smother the flames.

as paved streets, concrete walks, wharf-planking and the like. Due to its impervious qualities it may alsobe used to advantage in dyehouses, slaughter-houses, fertilizer-plants, for sweeping liquids, sludge, and wet refuse and for various otherpurposes.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred form of construction of the improved implement it is to be understood that various modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of its parts without departing from the spirit 0r scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim: V

1. An implement of the type specified comprising a head having a top-plate and bot-- tom-plate dis-posed in opposite spaced rel..- tionship and provided with alining apertures, hairpin-shaped splints arranged with their legs extending through thel apertures in both plates and projecting from the head in the form of bristles, a member overlying the top-plate and engaging against the looped endsof the splints to; secure themin place in It may be used with equal success m cleaning rough surfaces such lli? 4 through the apertures in said plates and project-ing from the head to provide bristles, acover overlying the top-plate and engaging against the looped ends of the splints to hold them in place in the head, and means on th cover and the sides of the head adapted to interlocl to secure the parts in permanent connection. f y

3. An implementl of the vtype specified having a head comprising a channel-shaped bottom-member provided with aperturesin its y base and formed with grooves extending long;tudinally of its sides, a top-member resting across the sides of the channel-member and provided with apertures substantiallyf corresponding withthose in the base thereof, hairpin-shaped splints arranged with their legs projecting through the apertures in the upper member and base of the channel-member, and a cover overlying the topmember and engaging against the looped ends of the splints, said cover having means adapted to interlock with the grooves on the sides cf the channel-member to hold the parts in permanent connection with the splints projecting from the bottom of the head in the form of a bru-sh or broom.

4;. In an implement of the type specified, the combination of a channel-shaped member having its bottom provided with rows of spaced apertures and the upper edges of its sides folded over in overlying relation thereto, a top-plate extending between the sides of the trough-member andV lprovided with apertures corresponding to those in the bottom thereof, hairpin-shaped splints arranged with their legs extending through the apertures of the top-plate and the bottom of the channel-member and projecting therebeyond in the form of bristles, and a cover-plate i? overlying the top-plate and provided with 1lateral flanges overlapping the sides of the trough-member and interengaging with the folded portions thereof, said cover-plate engaging against the looped ends of the splints to hold them in place.

5. In an implement of the type specified a head constructed with a channel-shaped bot:- tom-member having rows of spaced apertures in its bottom, the upper portion of the sides of the channel-member being folded over to provide grooves, a top-plate extending between the sides of the channel-member in spaced relation with' respect to the bottom thereof and provided with apertures corresponding to the apertures therein,-hairpinshapedsplints arranged with their legs projecting through the aperturesin the top-plate and bottom ofthe channel-member, and a cover-plate extending across the top of the channel-member and provided with folded portions engaging the grooves at the sides thereof tovsecure the parts in connected rela-` tionship. f

6. In an implement of the type specified, the combination of a head comprising a channel-shaped member having rows of spaced apertures in its bottom, a top-plate extending between the sides of the channel-member in soaced relation with respect to its bottom and provided with apertures corresponding to the apertures therein, hairpin-shaped splints arranged with their legs inserted through the apertures inthe top-plate and the bottom of the channel-member and arranged in rows with the splints of adjacent rows inclined in opposite relationship, and a'cover overlying the top of the channel-member and secured to the sides thereof to engage the loops of the splints to hold them in place in the head.

7. In an implement of the type specified,

the combination of a hollow head comprising a channel-shaped member formed with rows of spaced apertures in its bottom and yhaving its upper edges folded over in overlying relation to its sides, a top-plate extending between the sides of the channel-member and provided with apertures corresponding to the apertures in the bottom thereof, hairpinshaped splints arranged-with their legs extending through the apertures in the topplate and the bottom of the channel-member, and a cover-plate restingacross the top of the channel-member in engagement with the looped ends of the splints and having lateral flanges folded downwardly and inwardly to engage over the edges of the folded'portions of the channel-member to secure the parts In connected relationship.

8. In an implement of the type specified, the combination of a hollow head comprising a lchannel-member having rows of spaced apertures in its bottom, theupper edges of the sides of said channel-member being folded over in overlying relationship to provide grooves extending longitudinally thereof,

lugs extending inwardly from the sides of the channel-member, a top-plate resting across-said lugs and provided with apertures corresponding to the apertures in the bottom of the channel-member, hairpin-shaped splints of flat wire arranged with their legs extending through the apertures in the toplplate and bottom of the channel-member, a

cover-plate resting across the top of the channel-member and provided with lateral portions folded inwardly to adapt them to slide in the grooves on the sides of the channelmember whereby said cover-plate may be slid into position to vhold the splints in place in the head, and means engaging the ends of the cover to secure the latter in fixed position on the head. l Y

9. In an implement or" the type specied, the combination of a hollow head comprising a channel-shaped member provided with roWs of spaced apertures in its bottom, a top-plate extending between the sides of the Channelinember end provided with apertures corresponding to those in the bottom thereof, hairpin-shaped splints arranged with their legs inserted through the apertures in the topplate and bottom of the channel-member, a, cover-plete resting across the top of the channel-member in engagement with the looped ends oi splints and having lateral flanges overlapping the sides` thereof and secured thereto, a socket-member secured to the top of the cover-plate, and e handle held within the socket of seid member.

`iii-.testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

enseres HECTOR FELTHAM. 

